Sealing Means, Base Assembly With Such A Sealing Means And Rear View Device With Such A Base Assembly

ABSTRACT

A sealing means of a pivot joint system between a base assembly and a head assembly of a rear view device, including a two-component pivot seal including a hard component including at least one of one or more attachment and holding means for at least one of attachment of the sealing means to the base assembly and holding at least one cable, and a soft component. A base assembly and a rearview device are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of foreign priority to German PatentApplication No. DE 10 2018 116 011.9, filed Jul. 2, 2019, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure generally describes a sealing means, a baseassembly with such sealing means and a rear view device with such a baseassembly.

2. Related Art

The term “rear view” is generally defined as a view of the surroundingarea, which is not in the field of view of a driver of a vehicle, i.e.the directions opposing, left, right, below and above of the viewingdirection, but can also include the view in the direction of the viewingdirection of the driver and/or any combinations of the directions. Therear view can be achieved via a reflective element like a mirror and/oran image acquisition means like a camera.

A rear view device typically includes a base assembly to be attached toa vehicle and a head assembly to be moveable relative to the baseassembly. Generally, the head assembly of a rear view device can berotated between at least a driving position and a parking position.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a sealing means of a pivot joint system between a baseassembly and a head assembly of a rear view device includes atwo-component pivot seal with a hard component and a soft component, andthe hard component is provided with one or more attachment and/orholding means for attachment of the sealing means to the base assemblyand for holding at least one cable.

In an example, the attachment and/or holding means comprises one or moreclips, and/or the attachment and/or holding means is adapted to engage abase frame of the base assembly, and/or the attachment and/or holdingmeans is adapted to hold and guide a cable of a functional module, inparticular of a camera system, of the base assembly.

It is also proposed that the sealing means and/or the soft component ofthe sealing means has a conical form, with preferably the longitudinalaxis of the conical form being adapted to fall together with the pivotaxis of the pivot joint system, and/or with preferably the sealing meansand/or the soft component of the sealing means having a ring shape,and/or with preferably the attachment and/or holding means comprising atleast 2 clips in a first half of the conus and/or ring adapted to faceaway from a vehicle to which the rear view device is attached.

Further, it is proposed that the soft component is adapted to engage thebase assembly, in particular a base cover of the base assembly.

In another object, a base assembly which facilitates assembly of therear view device includes a base frame, a base cover housing the baseframe at least partly, at least one functional module and a pivot jointbase system configured to cooperate with a pivot joint head system of ahead assembly to be moveably attached to the base assembly, where thepivot joint base system comprises the sealing means.

It is proposed that the functional module is releasable attached to thebase frame, preferably at the end of the base frame facing towards avehicle to which the base assembly is to be attached, and/or the hardcomponent of the sealing means is releasable attached to the base frame,preferably at the end of the base frame facing away from a vehicle towhich the base assembly is to be attached.

Embodiments of the base assembly can be characterized in that thesealing means is concentrically arranged around the pivot axis of thepivot joint system, preferably in form of a ring and/or around a bayonettower and/or torsion spring of the pivot joint system.

In addition, it is proposed that the one or more clips is/are arrangesin a first half of the ring.

It is also proposed that the functional module is provided in form of acamera system, comprising a camera, a camera connector and a cable,which is adapted to be hold by the one or more attachment and/or holdingmeans of the sealing means.

The base assembly of the invention can also be characterized in that theone or more attachment and/or holding means of the sealing means isadapted to guide the cable around at least part of the sealing means,with preferably the cable being guided around at least around the firsthalf of the ring, and/or with preferably the cable being guided to havea bending radius of more than around 15 mm.

In an example, the cable is guided from the upper side of the baseframe, with the upper side being preferably the side to which the cameraconnector is attached, to the lower side of the base frame, with thelower side being preferably the side to which the camera is attached,around at least half of the circumference of the sealing means,preferably around the ring half facing away from the camera, and intothe vehicle when the base assembly is attached to the vehicle.

It is also proposed that the soft component engages the rim of the basecover at the pivot joint system end.

In another aspect, a rear view device includes a head assembly movablyattached to the base assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description,will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appendeddrawings. For the purpose of illustration, certain examples of thepresent disclosure are shown in the drawings. It should be understood,however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings,which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,illustrate an implementation of system, apparatuses, and methodsconsistent with the present disclosure and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent withthe present disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear view device, in the drivecondition and the fold condition;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a camera located within a base assembly of theinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a section view along the line 6 b-6 b in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an explosion view of some internal parts of a rear view deviceof the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of a base frame of a rear view deviceof FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of an alternative base frame withsealing means according to the invention;

FIGS. 7a and 7b are different perspective views of the base frame withthe sealing means of FIG. 6 together with a camera assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross section through a base assembly of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base assembly of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and to the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The Figures and written description are provided to teachthose skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patentprotection is sought. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments andof being practiced and carried out in various ways. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment areshown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Those skilled in theart will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercialembodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure may requirenumerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer'sultimate goal for the commercial embodiment.

In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of describing the present disclosureand should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of asingular term, such as, “a” is not intended as limiting of the number ofitems. Also, the use of relational terms, such as but not limited to,“top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,”“side,” are used in the description for clarity in specific reference tothe Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. Further, it should be understood that any one of thefeatures may be used separately or in combination with other features.Other systems, methods, features, and advantages will be or becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the Figures andthe description. The term “driver” is used throughout this disclosurebut is not limited to a person who is operating or controlling thevehicle; it may refer to any vehicle occupant, person, passenger, oruser inside the vehicle, or, in certain circumstances, a person who isoutside the vehicle but controlling the vehicle or interested inmovement of the vehicle. It is intended that all such additionalsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thisdescription, and be within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a rear view device of the invention with a head assembly600 and a base assembly 500 connected via a pivot joint systemcomprising in particular a sealing means or pivot seal according to theinvention. A respective pivot joint system is described in detail in theinternational patent application PCT/EP 2018/063665, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The rear view device of FIG. 1 is illustrated in a drive condition ofthe head assembly 600 as well as a knocked forward or fold condition ofthe head assembly 600′ relative to a base assembly 500 to be attached toa vehicle (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, due to the movement of the head assembly600″, a non-moving area for securing a camera 62 is beneficial. In thisembodiment, the camera 62 is positioned in the base assembly 61 andfixed on a base frame 65 with a camera connector 66. The camera 62 iscovered by a base cap 63, and the base assembly 61 is covered by a basecover 64 and secured via a gasket 67 to a motor vehicle (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows a pivot joint system comprising a case frame 100 of thehead assembly, a base frame 110 of the base assembly with a bayonettower 120 and spring 130. The base frame is shown in further detail inFIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative base frame 210 with a sealing means 300 ofthe invention and a bayonet tower 400. Said sealing means 300 comprisesa hard part 310 and a soft part 320. The hard part 310 fulfillsattachment and/or holding functions as illustrated below and the softpart 320 enables a compensation of tolerances, in addition to thesealing means 300 providing a pivot seal of a pivot joint between a baseassembly and a head assembly of a rear view device. Thus, the sealingmeans 300 is provided in form of a two component gasket in order toprovide a multitude of functions, with the hard part 310 being providedwith clips 311, 312 for that porpose.

These clips 311, 312 fulfill more than one function. On the one hand,the clips 311, 312 allow for a clip connection of the sealing means 300with the base frame 210, and on the other hand the clips 311, 312 areadapted to hold a cable 430 for a camera 420 attached to the base frame210 and running from a camera connector 422 into a vehicle to which therear view device is attached at its base assembly 200.

While FIGS. 6 and 7 b show best the clip connection of the sealingelement 300 to the base frame 210 via the clips 311, 312; it is FIG. 7afrom which the clip holding function of the cable 430 can be best seen.The holding of the cable 430 via the clips 311, 312 avoids damages ofthe cable 430 due to too strong bending forced acting on the cable 430.The curvature of the cable 430, is sensible and the cable radius has tobe above around 15 mm to avoid damages. By wrapping the cable 430 aroundbayonet tower 400 as well as part of the base frame 210 and holding itin position with the help of the clips 311, 312 a stable and long-lifebase assembly 200 is provided with the invention, which is also easy toassemble.

In particular the cable 430 and the camera connector 422 are protectedby a base cover 220 the upper rim of which is engaged by the soft part320 of the sealing means 300, see FIGS. 8 and 9.

Different functions and devices can be incorporated into and/orcontrolled with the help of rear view devices, in addition or instead ofcameras.

Especially useful are functions and devices to enhance, extend and/orsustain the functionality of the rear view device during normal orextreme conditions. This may include heating and/or cooling means,cleaning means such as wipers, liquid and/or gaseous sprays, actuatormeans for moving the rear view device or parts of it, such as forexample a display, a camera system and/or parts of a camera system,including for example lenses, filters, light sources, adaptive opticslike deformable mirrors, sensors and/or mirrors, and/or actuator meansfor inducing movement of other objects, for example parts of the vehicleand/or objects surrounding the vehicle. Furthermore it can includelinear tracks and/or rotating wheels, like for example a filter wheel,for exchanging optical elements, including for example lenses, mirrors,light sources, sensors, adaptive optics like deformable mirrors and/orfilters.

Prominent examples for functions and devices incorporated into and/orcontrolled with the help of rear view devices include also illuminationdevices, for example any kind of light module like an external lightmodule, an internal light module, a front light, a back light, a foglight, a brake light, an acceleration light, a turn signal, a logo lamp,a puddle light, a flash light, a navigation light, a position light, anemergency light, a spotlight, a green light, a red light, a warninglight, a turn signal light module, an approach light, a search light, aninformation light, a display and/or any combination thereof.

Further examples for functions and devices incorporated into and/orcontrolled with the help of rear view devices may include for example atiredness detection system, a microsleep detection system, a distanceand/or velocity determination system, for example a LIDAR (Lightdetection and ranging) system, a blind spot indicator system, a lanechange assistant system, a navigation assistant system, a trackingassistant system, a human-machine interaction system, a machine-machineinteraction system, an emergency and precaution assistant system, likean accident avoiding assistant system, a counter-measures assistantsystem, a brake assistant system, a steering assistant system, anacceleration assistant system, an escape assistant system, including forexample an ejection seat system, a direction indicator, a blind spotindicator, an approach system, a strong braking system, an emergencybraking system, a charging status indicator, a vehicle mode system,including for example a sports mode system, an economy mode system, anautonomous drive mode system, a sleep mode system and an anti-theftsystem, a vehicle locked indicator system, a vehicle stolen indicator, awarning signal system, a temperature indicator system, a weatherindicator system, a traffic light signal system, a fuel status systemand/or any combination thereof.

An example for a rear view device including an illumination devicefulfilling the brake light functions is disclosed in German patentapplication No. 102012108488, filed on Sep. 11, 2012 for REAR VIEWASSEMBLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE and hereby incorporated herein by reference.A light guidance unit for an illumination device used in a back visionsystem is disclosed in German patent application No. 102012104529, filedon May 25, 2012 for LIGHT GUIDANCE UNIT which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference. An illumination device for a rear view device isdisclosed in German patent application No. 102012107833, filed on Aug.24, 2012 for ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND REAR VIEW DEVICE which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. A lighting device for a back-visionunit is disclosed in German patent application No. 102012107834, filedon Aug. 24, 2012 for LIGHTING DEVICE AND BACK-VISION UNIT which ishereby incorporated herein by reference. A housing and display device ofa rear view device is disclosed in European patent No. 2738043, filed onDec. 3, 2012 for HOUSING AND DISPLAY DEVICE which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference. An optical light guide for a vehicle lighting unitis disclosed in European patent No. 2947378, filed on May 22, 2014 forOPTICAL LIGHT GUIDE FOR A VEHICLE LIGHTING UNIT which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. A display device of a rear view deviceof a vehicle is disclosed in International patent application No.2015/173695, filed on May 7, 2015 for DISPLAY DEVICE, REAR VIEW DEVICEAND MOTOR VEHICLE and claiming priority to European patent applicationNo. 2944866, filed on May 12, 2014 for OPTICAL UNIT, DISPLAY DEVICE,REAR VIEW DEVICE AND MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING THE SAME which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference. Further a light guiding devicefor an illumination device, in particular for a motor vehicle or adisplay device, in a rear view device of a motor vehicle is disclosed inEuropean patent application No. 3045944, filed on Jan. 19, 2015 forLIGHT GUIDING DEVICE which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.Still further a light guiding device for an illumination device,especially for a motor vehicle or an indicator device in a rear viewdevice of a motor vehicle is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/228,566, filed on Aug. 4, 2016, for LIGHT GUIDING DEVICE and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/000,733,filed on Jan. 19, 2016 for LIGHT GUIDING DEVICE which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference. In addition, an illumination device,particularly for a rear-view device of a motor vehicle and a method forproducing the same are disclosed in International patent application No.2016/147154, filed on Mar. 18, 2016 for ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND METHODFOR PRODUCING AN ILLUMINATION DEVICE and claiming priority to Germanpatent application No. 102015104163, filed on Mar. 19, 2015 forILLUMINATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ILLUMINATION DEVICEwhich are all hereby incorporated herein by reference. An improvedrear-view device for a motor vehicle which includes an electronic deviceis disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/256,532, filed onSep. 3, 2016 for ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND REAR-VIEW DEVICE and claimingpriority to European patent application No. 3139711, filed on Sep. 3,2015 for ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND REAR VIEW DEVICE which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference. A lighting device for a rear viewdevice or a footwell device of a vehicle, including at least oneluminous means is disclosed in German patent application No.102015115555, filed on Sep. 9, 2015 for ILLUMINATION DEVICE, REAR VIEWDEVICE, FOOTWELL DEVICE AND VEHICLE which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference. A light module for a light assembly of an exterior rearview device is disclosed in European patent application No. 3138734,filed on Sep. 3, 2015 for LIGHT MODULE, LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND REAR VIEWDEVICE FOR A VEHICLE which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Alighting device for a vehicle component, in particular for a rear viewdevice of a motor vehicle, including a logo lamp and a deflection mirrorare disclosed in European patent application No. 3144183, filed on Sep.13, 2016 for LIGHTING DEVICE, VEHICLE COMPONENT AND VEHICLE and claimingpriority to German utility patent application No. 202015104894, filed onSep. 15, 2015 for LIGHTING DEVICE, VEHICLE COMPONENT AND VEHICLE whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

A camera module can include in particular a plurality of differentoptical elements, including a.o. a variety of sensors and light sources,as well as housing parts.

The housing of a camera module can be made out of plastic, metal, glass,any other suitable material and/or any combinations thereof and can beused in combination with the techniques described below to change ormodify the properties of the material or the material surface. Housingsare for example described in German patent application No.102016108247.3, filed on May 3, 2016 for CLEANING SYSTEM FOR A CAMERAand U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/281,780, filed Sep. 30, 2016 forTELESCOPING REAR VIEW ASSEMBLY WITH CAMERA AND LENS WIPING SYSTEM, whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The camera can include for example CCD or CMOS or light field sensors,as for example described in German patent application No. 102011053999,filed Sep. 28, 2011 for DETECTION SYSTEM FOR OPTICAL DETECTION OF OBJECTAND/OR REGION OF SPACE FOR DRIVER ASSISTANCE AND/OR DISPLAY SYSTEMS OFMOTOR VEHICLE, HAS OPTICAL SENSOR ARRANGED AS LIGHT FIELD SENSOR FORDETECTION and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/771,140, filed on Jan.26, 2001 for MONITORING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES, IN PARTICULAR, MOTORVEHICLES, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,925, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference. Also an area of the sensor can be reserved fordifferent purposes, for example to detect a test beam, as described inU.S. Pat. No. 8,031,224, filed on Sep. 9, 2014 for CAMERA SYSTEM, METHODFOR OPERATION OF A CAMERA SYSTEM AND SENSOR DEVICE OF A CAMERA SYSTEM,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The optical elements can be molded or formed from any type of glass orany other suitable material. Glass is here used in the meaning of anon-crystalline amorphous solid showing a glass transition when heatedtowards the liquid state. It includes for example the group of polymericglasses, metallic glasses, silica glasses, but any other suitablematerial showing the glass transition can also be used. The glass can beeither in a flat, wedge, rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, conical,elliptical, and/or circular shape, as described for example in Germanpatent application No. 102016108247.3, and German patent application No.102011103200, filed on May 31, 2011 for LIGHT WINDOW FOR USE AS LIGHTCONDUCTOR FOR TURN INDICATOR IN OUTSIDE MIRROR ARRANGEMENT OF VEHICLE,HAS UNCOUPLING STRUCTURES AT CERTAIN LOCATION OF WINDOW, AND OPTICALFILM WITH MOLDED COATING AND PROVIDED WITH UNCOUPLING STRUCTURES, whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference, or have a shapeaccording to different needs or lens types. As non-limiting examplescamera modules can be equipped with lenses, like a wide-angle orfish-eye lens suitable to provide peripheral images, as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/281,780, and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/090,127, filed on Apr. 19, 2011 for REAR VIEW MIRRORSIMULATION, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,238,434, a Fresnel lens or micro lensesas described in German patent application No. 102011053999, filed Sep.28, 2011 for DETECTION SYSTEM FOR OPTICAL DETECTION OF OBJECT AND/ORREGION OF SPACE FOR DRIVER ASSISTANCE AND/OR DISPLAY SYSTEMS OF MOTORVEHICLE, HAS OPTICAL SENSOR ARRANGED AS LIGHT FIELD SENSOR FORDETECTION, and a TIR (total internal reflection) lens as described inU.S. Pat. No. 8,740,427, filed Sep. 8, 2010 for OPTIMAL LIGHT COUPLINGFOR REAR VIEW DEVICES, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference. Another type of optical elements know to be used in cameramodules are optical fibers, especially in form of fiber bundles andpreferably in form of fiber bundles having an optical head, as describedfor example in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/771,140. Differentmethods can be used to produce such optical elements, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,060, filed on Jan. 30, 2009 for METHODFOR CREATING A COMPLEX SURFACE ON A SUBSTRATE OF GLASS, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The optical elements can be transparent as described for example in U.S.Pat. No. 8,031,224, German patent application No. 102016108247.3, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/242,829, filed Sep. 23, 2011 forCAMERA ARRANGEMENT AND DOOR HANDLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE, which are allhereby incorporated herein by reference. But the optical elements canalso be semitransparent, as described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/771,140 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/090,127, whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference. Still further, theoptical elements can be completely or partially coated with differenttype of coatings to realize different effects, such as for exampleanti-reflective coatings as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,031,224,chromium-based reflective coatings as described in U.S. Pat. No.9,181,616, filed on Jan. 24, 2012 for CHROMIUM-BASED REFLECTIVE COATING,and other coatings, for example for polymeric substrates as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/936,024, filed on Nov. 9, 2015 forCOATED POLYMERIC SUBSTRATES and in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/124,310, filed on Feb. 20, 2015 for DECORATIVE COATINGS FOR PLASTICSUBSTRATES, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.Preferably the optical elements are made of a scratch-proof material asdescribed for example in German patent application No. 102016108247.3,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The optical elementscan have uncoupling structures at certain locations of the opticalelements, and an optical film, for example an extrusion film, and amolded coating can be applied as described in German patent applicationNo. 102011103200, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Acoating to spectrally and stress control is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/124,310, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. Different filters can be integrated into the optical elementssuch as for example gray filters or polarization filters, described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/809,509, filed Jul. 27, 2015 forAPPARATUS FOR LIGHT INTENSITY ADJUSTMENT, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Electrochromic substrates, polymer electrolytes and other chargeconducting medias may be used for the optical elements based on thedescriptions of European patent application No. 08103179.1, filed onMar. 31, 2008 for PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ELECTROCHROMIC SUBSTRATES ANDELECTROCHROMIC ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM, European patent No. 2202826,filed on Dec. 23, 2008 for POLYMER ELECTROLYTES AND DEVICES CONTAINING,U.S. Pat. No. 7,999,992, filed on Jan. 7, 2005 for CHARGE CONDUCTINGMEDIUM and U.S. Pat. No. 8,537,451, filed on Mar. 26, 2008 for PROCESSESFOR PRODUCING ELECTROCHROMIC SUBSTRATES AND ELECTROCHROMIC ARTICLES MADETHEREFROM, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The camera module can also be equipped with apparatuses for lightintensity adjustment as described for example in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/809,509 and light level intensifier tubes as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/771,140, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference. The electrochromic substrates anddevices used in European patent application No. 08103179.1, Europeanpatent No. 2202826, U.S. Pat. No. 7,999,992 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,537,451,which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference, can also be usedfor this purpose as well as a transflector to transmit or reflect lightbased on a corresponding input signal, as described in German patentapplication No. 102016106126.3, filed on Apr. 4, 2016 for IMAGINGSYSTEM, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The camera module or a cover adapted to the camera module can be movedusing different actuators, drives and/or a flexible track, as forexample described in German application No. 102016108247.3 and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/281,780, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Still further, the camera module can also include cleaning elements toclean the optical element facing outwards and being exposed to theenvironment. The cleaning element can for example include wipers,brushes, lips, nozzles, fans and similar elements as are described inEuropean patent application No. 14165197.6, filed Apr. 17, 2014 forOPTICAL SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE, CLEANING DEVICE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING ANOPTICAL SYSTEM, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/281,780, Germanpatent application No. 102016108247.3, European patent application No.13163677.1, filed Apr. 15, 2013 for LENS WIPER, European patentapplication No. 15173201.3, filed Jun. 22, 2015 for LENS CLEANING WITHFLEXIBLE ACTUATOR and European patent No. 1673260, filed on Oct. 14,2003 for CLEANING DEVICE which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference. The cleaning devices are not limited in composition, and mayfor example include any fabric, elastomeric, sponge, brush, orcombination of these. Special wiper elements including wiper arms, wiperblades, wiping cloth, wiping tissue and combinations thereof aredescribed in European patent application No. 14165197.6, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. A wiper element may for example becontrolled according to the method described in European patentapplication No. 130164250.6, filed Apr. 18, 2013 for METHOD FORCONTROLLING A WIPER DEVICE, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. A reservoir for holding a cleaning liquid as described inEuropean patent application No. 14165197.6, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference. Such a reservoir can be attached to or integratedinto the camera module to provide the cleaning liquid to the opticalelements of the camera module.

Different methods may be used to detect dirt or other obscurationspreventing or reducing the functioning of the camera module, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,395,514, filed on Jun. 24, 2008 for OPTICALSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING OPTICAL SYSTEM OBSCURATION IN A VEHICLE,European patent No. 1328141, filed on January 12, for ASSEMBLY HAVING ACONDUCTOR FROM FLEXIBLE MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH ANASSEMBLY, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,031,224, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Also light sources can be installed or integrated into the camera moduleto increase the visibility of surrounding objects, measure distances anddirections and detect dirt, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.8,031,224, U.S. patent application No. 62/470,658, filed on Mar. 13,2017, 2016 for LIGHT EMITTING MIRROR BEZEL and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/771,140, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference.

Different heating means, like heating coils, heating devices integratedinto the lens holder or the bezel, or other heating elements can be usedto impede condensation and icing at the surface of optical elements, asfor example described in German patent application No. 102016108247.3,U.S. patent application No. 62/470,658, and German patent applicationNo. 102016107545.0, filed on Apr. 22, 2016 for HEATING DEVICE FOR ACAMERA LENS, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

A watertight seal against weather effects, as well as against theinfluence of washing processes with detergents, solvents and highpressure cleaners can be used on the housing of the camera module asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/090,127, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

In another example, the housing can be made of a body including plasticand conductive material, wherein the conductive material is dispersed inthe plastic material to form a conductive mass to allow a power source,preferably a DC voltage source, to connect via at least two electrodesto the body and heat the body accordingly, as described in German patentapplication No. 102016107545.0, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

A conductor track can be embedded within plastic parts of the cameramodule as described in European patent No. 1328141 and U.S. Pat. No.7,083,311, filed on Jan. 12, 2002 for CONDUCTOR OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL,COMPONENT COMPRISING SUCH FLEXIBLE CONDUCTOR, AND METHOD OFMANUFACTURING SUCH CONDUCTOR, which are all hereby incorporated hereinby reference.

The camera module can include a power harvesting system as described forexample in European patent application No. 09171683.7, filed on Sep. 29,2009 for SELF SUSTAINING REAR VIEW MIRROR, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

A fault detection system for electric consumers as described in U.S.Pat. No. 8,487,633 filed on Jan. 14, 2010 for FAULT DETECTION OFELECTRIC CONSUMERS IN MOTOR VEHICLES, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference, can be used to detect failure of the camera module.

Different types of fixings can be used to fix the camera module to thevehicle or other components, such as for example the snap-fit connectiondescribed in European patent No. 2233360, filed on Mar. 27, 2009 forSNAP FIT CONNECTION IN A REAR VIEW MIRROR, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Different control means and analyzing devices can be used, such as thecomputation units described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/090,127, German patent application No. 102016106126.3, German patentapplication No. 102011053999, European patent No. 2146325, filed on July16, for Recording Device for Receiving, Processing and Storing ImageFiles in a Vehicle and Method, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,849,104, filed onJul. 16, 2008 for RECORDING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING ANDPROCESSING IMAGE DATA IN A VEHICLE, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference. In addition, HDR (high dynamical range) technologycan be used according to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/830,406,filed on Aug. 19, 2015 for REAR VIEW DEVICE FOR A MOTOR and published asUS 20150358590, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that theinvention disclosed herein is not limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed, and is intended to cover modifications within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   61 base assembly-   62 camera-   63 base cap-   64 base cover-   65 base frame-   66 camera connector-   67 gasket-   100 case frame-   110 base frame-   120 bayonet tower-   130 torsion spring-   200 base assembly-   210 base frame-   220 base cover-   300 sealing means-   310 hard component-   311 clips-   312 clips-   320 soft component-   400 bayonet tower-   410 spring-   420 camera-   422 camera connector-   430 cable-   500 base assembly-   600 head assembly in driving position-   600′ head assembly in knocked out position-   600″ head assembly

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealing means of a pivot joint system between abase assembly and a head assembly of a rear view device, comprising: atwo-component pivot seal comprising: a hard component comprising atleast one of one or more attachment and holding means for at least oneof attachment of the sealing means to the base assembly and holding atleast one cable; and a soft component.
 2. The sealing means according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of: the at least one of the attachment andholding means comprises one or more clips, the at least one of theattachment and holding means is adapted to engage a base frame of thebase assembly, and the at least one of the attachment and holding meansis adapted to hold and guide a cable of a functional module including acamera system of the base assembly.
 3. The sealing means according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the sealing means and the softcomponent of the sealing means comprises a conical form, and at leastone of the longitudinal axis of the conical form is adapted to falltogether with a pivot axis of the pivot joint system, the at least oneof the sealing means and the soft component comprises a ring shape, andthe at least one of the attachment and holding means comprises at leasttwo clips in a first half of at least one of the conus and ring adaptedto face away from a vehicle to which the rear view device is attached.4. A sealing means according to claim 1, wherein the soft component isadapted to engage the base assembly and a base cover of the baseassembly.
 5. A base assembly of an exterior rear view device, comprisinga base frame; a base cover housing the base frame at least partly; atleast one functional module; and a pivot joint base system configured tocooperate with a pivot joint head system of a head assembly to bemoveably attached to the base assembly, wherein the pivot joint basesystem comprises the sealing means of claim
 1. 6. The base assemblyaccording to claim 5, wherein at least one of the functional module isreleasable attached to the base frame at an end of the base frame facingtowards a vehicle to which the base assembly is configured to beattached, and the hard component of the sealing means is releasableattached to the base frame at an end of the base frame facing away froma vehicle to which the base assembly is configured to be attached. 7.The base assembly according to claim 5, wherein the sealing means isconcentrically arranged around the pivot axis of the pivot joint systemby at least one of a ring and around at least one of a bayonet tower anda torsion spring of the pivot joint system.
 8. The base assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein one or more clips are arranged in a firsthalf of the ring.
 9. The base assembly according to claim 5, wherein thefunctional module is provided as a camera system comprising a camera, acamera connector, and a cable which is adapted to be held by the atleast one of one or more attachment and holding means of the sealingmeans.
 10. The base assembly according to claim 5, wherein the at leastone of the one or more attachment and holding means of the sealing meansis adapted to guide the cable around at least part of the sealing means,and at least one of the cable is guided around at least a first half ofthe ring, and the cable is guided to have a bending radius of more thanapproximately 15 mm.
 11. The base assembly according to claim 5, whereinthe cable is guided from an upper side of the base frame, with the upperside being a side to which the camera connector is attached, to thelower side of the base frame, with the lower side being a side to whichthe camera is attached, around at least half of a circumference of thesealing means, and into the vehicle, in response to the base assemblybeing attached to the vehicle.
 12. The base assembly according to claim5, wherein the soft component engages a rim of the base cover at thepivot joint system end.
 13. A rear view device with a head assemblymoveably attached to the base assembly according to claim 5.